Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 764,049,000	$ 885,052,000	$ 1,502,894,000	$ 1,717,116,000
Cost of goods sold	530,690,000	559,138,000	1,027,517,000	1,107,716,000
Gross profit	233,359,000	325,914,000	475,377,000	609,400,000
Selling, general and administrative expenses	106,949,000	126,715,000	208,826,000	240,070,000
Research and development expenses	14,210,000	13,462,000	30,307,000	28,439,000
Operating profit	112,200,000	185,737,000	236,244,000	340,891,000
Interest and financing expenses	(17,852,000)	(11,601,000)	(34,737,000)	(24,187,000)
Other (expenses) income, net	(6,273,000)	(7,065,000)	2,041,000	4,226,000
Income before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	88,075,000	167,071,000	203,548,000	320,930,000
Income tax expense	15,431,000	30,411,000	33,873,000	67,925,000
Income before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	72,644,000	136,660,000	169,675,000	253,005,000
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)	31,114,000	38,310,000	57,718,000	73,491,000
Net income	103,758,000	174,970,000	227,393,000	326,496,000
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(18,134,000)	(20,772,000)	(34,565,000)	(38,729,000)
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 85,624,000	$ 154,198,000	$ 192,828,000	$ 287,767,000
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.81	$ 1.46	$ 1.81	$ 2.72
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.80	$ 1.45	$ 1.81	$ 2.71
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	106,329	105,961	106,278	105,880
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	106,535	106,316	106,524	106,336